WO2017208087A1

WO2017208087A1 - A container, for example in the form of bag or suitcase, containing extractable multipurpose inserts

Info

Publication number: WO2017208087A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/051812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco ALTAVILLA
Original assignee: Rossotoscana S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-05-31
Filing date: 2017-03-30
Publication date: 2017-12-07
Also published as: ITUA20163976A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns the combination of a container, for example in the form of a of a work bag, comprising first attachment means (20, 21, 25) with one or more panels (1) comprising second attachment means (10, 21, 25) which can be coupled with said first attachment means in such a manner that one or more of said panels can be inserted and attached in movable manner in the container.

Description

TITLE

A CONTAINER, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE FORM OF BAG OR SUITCASE,

CONTAINING EXTRACTABLE MULTIPURPOSE INSERTS

Technical field

The present invention refers to the technical field of containers, for example work bags, suitcases, backpacks, handbags, etc.

In particular, the invention refers to an innovative container which is structured in such a manner so as to comprise one or more extractable inserts and that can be inserted again inside it in a suitable position, those inserts having an own functionality in turn, both as they are inserted in the containing body and as they are extracted and potentially usable independently from the container where they are coupled.

Background art

Containers in general, in the form of bags, suitcases, overnight bags, etc. have been known for a long time and they can have various sizes, forms and materials.

Depending on needs, the user can use a specific type of container.

For example, suitcases of different sizes are normally used during a trip depending on needs. Some of those suitcases are of small sizes in such a manner so as to board them or anyway being easily transportable.

There are work bags with work purposes, for example overnight bags etc., which allow the professional to carry the required documents and work accessories.

There are work bags for any work category, from the medical one to the employer's one and they change in their volume and specific compartments.

Having introduced that, the aforementioned containers have generally a fixed and unchangeable number of compartments.

The aforementioned compartments are obtained by dividing the containers through dividing panels. Each compartment can be more specific for the transport of a certain type of product, instead of another one.

Some of the aforementioned panels can be shaped to contain some types of products/objects. For example, they can shape pockets wherein objects of any kind in general, such as cellphones, pens, keys, work instruments, etc. can be placed.

However, containers as per prior art have a technical inconvenience due to dividing panels generally fixed to the body of the container, thus not allowing to modify the number of compartments and/or the containment volume of the container itself. Many panels integral to the container create various compartments of smaller sizes but each insert occupies its own space inside the container, thus reducing the overall volumetric capacity.

Moreover, their use and their functionality is limited and depends on the container itself wherein they are inserted in fixed manner and they are not independent elements. This feature restricts considerably their versatility .

For example, it is known the publication US2006/0011686, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a publication deals with a particularly versatile container, equipped with Velcro strips inside it, allowing to attach movably a series of dividing panels and/or various accessories working as storage compartments, by dividing also the volume of the container in one or more compartments . In this way, it is possible to change the number and sizes of the required compartments.

According to such a solution, the application of dividing panels requires a very complex realization of the inserts themselves in order to allow to attach them to the Velcro arranged on the walls of the container. For such a purpose, the panel has to be made with foldable lateral edges, wherein the Velcro is arranged in order to make them touch the Velcro of the container as they are folded, thus maintaining the panel upright in vertical position inside the container.

Such a solution is particularly complex.

Moreover, in order to make the number of insertable panels versatile and modifiable for obtaining new compartments, such a solution requires application of long Velcro strips along the internal panel of the container, according to particular geometries. Such a solution, in addition to being structurally complex, is not likable from the aesthetic point of view, especially if the container has refined quality and works as work or woman bag. Moreover, such a solution is not functional, as many of the aforementioned strips of Velcro result uncovered, as only a minimal part of them is bound to the panels and so the risk is to damage potential fabric clothing placed in the container.

Disclosure of the invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a container in general which solves the aforementioned technical inconveniences.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a container wherein its internal spaces are not only modifiable, by making the container as a whole extremely versatile and functional, but it is also possible an independent use of some parts of the container itself, by increasing its versatility.

Moreover, an aim of the present invention is to provide a container and its related panels which result in being insertable, in such a manner to delimit one or more compartments, with a structurally simple and functional, aesthetically likable solution suitable also for high- profile containers, which allows also to carry objects of fabric clothing without damaging them.

These and other aims are obtained with the combination between a container and one or more complementary inserts, according to claim 1.

Such a solution is obtained by the combination between a container, for example in the form of a work bag, and one or more dividing inserts (1, 2), said combination comprising:

The container;

Said one or more dividing panels (1, 2) configured to result to be insertable in the container so that when they are inserted in the container they delimit the formation of one or more compartments;

Attachment means (20, 21, 25) configured in such a manner so as to allow to fix in a removable manner at least a first panel in the container, by binding it to the container itself, and eventual further one or more inserts in succession between them to delimit further compartments .

According to the invention, said attachment means comprise at least a strip (25) of flexible material, said strip (25) having at its ends first rapid attachment means (20) suitable for coupling in a removable manner with second rapid attachment means (21) arranged in correspondence of each panel and in the container in such a manner that a first panel can be inserted in the container by fixing it to the container by means of said strip which is fixed to the panel itself by one of its parts and it is fixed to the container by the opposite part and with further one or more panels insertable in the container in succession between them, by binding a further panel to a previous panel by means at least a further strip .

In this way, all the aforementioned technical inconveniences are easily solved.

In particular, depending on the number of panels inserted in the container, it is now possible to change the number of compartments of a container as required, depending on needs, by making the container very flexible.

The panel itself can comprise compartments for carrying and containing objects, such as to be used independently when it is extracted from the bag.

In particular, such a solution results now structurally simpler and more functional with respect to what has been described in the publication US2006/0011686. In fact, it is now possible to make a movable attachment of the panel in the container in an easy way, thanks to the strip which is equipped at its ends with first rapid attachment means cooperating with second rapid attachment means arranged in the container and in each panel. A complex processing comprising foldable edges of the panel is no more necessary but it is only needed to apply the aforementioned second rapid attachment means to one or more specific points. A panel and potential panels in succession between them can be fixed easily to the container through the use and the application of the strip, by using other similar strips to attach a panel to a previous one. This allows also to limit the application of the second rapid attachment means only to few points in the container, as the other potential panels are in fact attached in succession between them by means of the strip. This allows to avoid the use of an excessive amount of Velcro along the walls of the container itself, as in the case of US2006/0011686.

Further advantages are inferable from the depending claims .

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the device, according to the invention, will result to be clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to- illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a front view of an insert 1 which is insertable in movable manner in the container object of the invention and provided with binding means to contain objects in turn;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a simple insert 2 which is substantially equal to the previous one of figure 1, except that it is lacking the aforementioned binding means and so its function is only to create a spatial subdivision in the container where it is inserted;

- Figure 3 and figure 4 are two details of the rapid attachment which allows to attach the inserts to the container in movable manner, such a rapid attachment is formed by the coupling of a flexible strip provided with a button 20 at its ends, such a button couples in a snaplike manner with a pivot fixed to the insert and/or a surface of the bag;

Figure 5 is a view of a further container for containing inserts, which is linked to the container object of the invention in its functions;

Figure 6 shows the pivot 21 inside the container and in the angles of panels, coupling with the rapid button 20 comprised in each strip, in such a manner that the first panel can attach to a further panel;

Figure 7 shows more clearly an example of work bag, wherein a panel is inserted in it, attached to the rear wall of the bag by means of the strip 25 provided with rapid buttons which binds their related pivot comprised in said wall of the bag;

Figure 8 is a further example of use referred to the table container of figure 5 and to which further dividing panels are attached inside it in succession between them in similar way.

Description of some preferred embodiments

Figure 1 describes an insert 1 in a possible embodiment and insertable in a container according to the invention .

Such an insert is de facto a panel, having a front side 1' and obviously, a rear side, not shown in figure.

The panel can be made of any material. Generally, it is made of materials like "TEXON 448", a flexible cellulose-made material which can be made of various thicknesses and is produced by the manufacturing company Texon Italia.

Although if it can be made of several other materials, such a material identified by the acronym TEXON 448 has excellent flexibility features, such as the panel shapes again the initial configuration after being folded. This guarantees a better duration of the insert itself, since it might be folded in use, for example as it is extracted or inserted again where it should be placed, as it will be explained better further. Different materials may lead the insert to break accidentally in use, above all in the case of continuous use. Therefore, the use of TEXON 448 guarantees a better duration with time.

Referring again to figure 1, on the front side 1' of the insert suitable binding means 10 are then comprised suitable for allowing the user to apply a plurality of commonly used objects to the aforementioned insert.

The skilled person will notice that obviously said binding means may be of various shapes depending on needs.

For example, in an unrestrictive manner, figure 1 shows a sequence of pockets obtained by applying a cloth to such a panel in such a manner so as to form a plurality of containing pockets of different shapes and sizes, each one being potentially suitable to contain a specific obj ect .

For example, figure 1 shows a pocket for containing a cellphone while other pockets are shaped and suitable for containing pens, paper organizer and other accessories in general .

Other binding systems might be for example in the form of elastic clips to which cylindrical bodies such as pens, various instruments, etc. can be fixed.

The rear side of insert 1 is not shown in figure but it is substantially a smooth wall as that in figure 2 for example, and therefore said binding means are generally lacking .

Although the rear side of the panel is lacking said binding means, the realization of a panel may also be comprised provided with binding means in correspondence of its rear side.

Going further with the description of the invention, the panel is then provided with rapid attachment means allowing to attach it in movable manner to the inside of the aforementioned container.

The aforementioned attachment means are generally comprised both on the front side of the insert and on the rear side, in such a manner so as to allow to attach the inserts in succession between them, as it is explained better further.

In particular, the aforementioned rapid attachment means are in the form of "snap-on buttons", that is they are formed by two components (a button and a pivot) that they attach by snapping or wedging whether they are pushed each other and they detach from each other as they are pulled .

They are very well known themselves over the prior art .

Therefore, figure 3 shows the button 20 fixed to a strip, such a button comprising a receiving hole wherein a pivot inserts itself in a snap-like manner, such a pivot being fixed to the insert. In use, as the button is pushed to the fixed pivot 21, the pivot penetrates the hole and a snap-on attachment occurs.

In particular, the pivot 21 is fixed to a point of the panel, for example an angle. It comprises a round head which is emerging upwards and it is suitable to insert itself in a snap-like manner in the seat of the receiving button 20 (see figure 3) .

As it is shown for example in figures 3 and 4, the receiving button is arranged on a strip of flexible material, while, in general, one or more fixed pivots are comprised in correspondence of the two sides of the panel and in specific points inside the bag.

The pivots in the inserts are preferably aligned one another as they are arranged on both sides of the insert.

In particular, as shown in figure 4 for example, a strip 25 is comprised (of any kind of material, for example fabric, leather or similar ones) , which comprises the aforementioned receiving button 20 at its ends.

In this way, the strip becomes a separated attachment element which allows to attach in a removable manner, into a suitably arranged container, such a type of insert or to attach each other more inserts in succession between them, always arranged in the container.

On the contrary, figure 2 shows an insert 2 which is equal to that of figure 1, except that it does not comprise binding means 10 neither on the front side 2' nor on the rear side. As it is better described further, its function is to allow to create more compartments in a container, as it purpose is simply being a dividing panel.

The insert in figure 1, in addition to forming more compartments as it is inserted in the container, has the additional purpose of storage compartment.

Therefore, in use, it is possible to insert one or more of the above-mentioned inserts of figure 1 and/or 2 in a bag, in such a manner so as to create more compartments. Moreover, if one or more inserts of figure 1 are inserted,- they become themselves a support for other objects, by adding more capacity to the container.

In particular, through the strip 25, once the insert is inserted by positioning it in the container, it can be fixed to the container through the application of such a strip 25 which attaches the panel to the body of the container provided with pivots itself, as already said.

If, for example, the container is a work bag, like an overnight bag, then one or more inserts can be comprised with suitable size to be insert themselves in the bag, thus creating anyway a plurality of compartments.

Such inserts, for the specific example of the work bag, can be of the type in figure 1 or also in figure 2.

The bag comprises one or more of such pivots 21 equal to those of the panels, in correspondence of its front and/or rear wall. Preferably, two or four pivots are comprised on each side, separated each other.

The same pivots, arranged in the same way with respect to those of the bag, are also arranged in the inserts to be inserted in the described bag (see for example the four angle-shaped pivots of figure 1) . At this point, it is possible to fix the first insert to the body of the bag in movable manner through the strips 25, then, if it is required, it is possible to fix a sequence of other inserts by binding them in succession between them always by means of such strips 25 (see figure 7) . The last insert is generally not fixed to the opposite wall of the bag. However, it might be taken into account to comprise pivots on both front walls of the bag, in order to allow also an attachment of the last one inserted in the wall in front of it.

In use, the first insert is inserted in the bag, such an insert is provided with strips attached to it by means of pivots 21. Once the insert is inserted, the strips are attached to the body of the bag by means of pivots in the walls of the bag, thus creating a stable but movable attachment (for example, see figure 6).

If it is needed to insert other inserts in succession between them, then the same operation occurs, by attaching, always by means of the strips 25, the second insert to the first one on the part of the opposite side and so on with the further inserts.

In this way, the bag can be divided into a range of compartments depending on own needs.

Moreover, depending on needs, each specific insert can be possibly removed and replaced by an equivalent one.

As already said, indeed, each insert can be shaped with receiving seats of different shape and size, in order to obtain the availability to insert different objects.

Only for explanation purposes, it would be possible, for example, to insert two inserts in an overnight bag, that is one like the insert in figure 1 and one like the insert in figure 2.

The first insert, for example like that in figure 2, could be attached to the wall of the bag, by means of two upper strips 25 and the two lower strips which are fixed in movable manner to the insert by one of its ends and to the pivots on one side of the bag by the opposite end. The pivots in the insert of the opposite side have the purpose to attach the aforementioned insert to the second insert (for example, that of figure 1) always by means of further strips 25. Finally, said last panel, thanks to the pivots on the opposite side and further strips 25, could attach to the pivots on the opposite side of the container, otherwise, remaining preferably clear, in such a manner so as to optimize the volume capacity, delimited by it.

Therefore, it is obvious the high flexibility of such a solution, which allows to modify the bag depending on needs, thus varying also the number of extractable inserts. The strips 25 can have any length, depending on needs, and also this feature allows the whole system to be flexible .

Moreover, the high flexibility of such a solution is increased by the fact that each single insert is not only extractable from the bag, but also it can have its own functionality as it is extracted from the bag.

First of all, thanks to the pivots 21 that are both on the front side and on the rear side of the inserts (generally in axis one another) , the attachment strip 25 can be closed again on itself, by attaching it to the front pivot and to the respective rear pivot in axle (see for example figure 3) .

Such a solution not only lends a likable aesthetic appearance, but also has the technical utility to allow to remove the strip 25 from the bag without the risk of losing it by leaving it attached to the insert, in such a manner so as not to result an obstacle.

By describing the invention more in details, referring to the inserts, as already said, they can be of various shapes and types and can be structured in such a manner so as to have an independent use with respect to the bag where they are intended to be inserted.

The insert of figure 1 can be used by the user as a transportable storage container, like a stationery folder, as it is removed by its container. The fact that the strip 25 can be closed again on the front and rear side of the panel lends a more likable aesthetic quality, thus hiding the insert in the form of a proper folder.

The same applies also to the insert of figure 2.

The figure 5 shows an embodiment of a container, which can be used with the purpose of insert in the main container, exactly as described above.

It comprises a vertical wall 30 wherein four pivots are comprised at its upper end (two on the front side and two on the rear side) .

At the base of the wall 30, a containment cradle 31 is comprised with a selected dimension in such a manner that the container itself has a good supporting base, in such a manner so as to be placed standing (therefore as in figure 5) and below any supporting surface, for example a work desk.

In this way, the container of figure 5 can be used as pen/objects holder, loose-leaf cabinet and documents holder, as it is extracted from the bag where it is intended .

The container itself, by forming a containment seat, becomes an independent container. Therefore, in^' a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a container of figure 5 is not shaped for being insertable in the main container, but it is a table accessory itself that can be used as documents holder.

In particular, it can be shaped in such a manner that the containment cradle forms a sufficiently wide supporting base for allowing such an insert to stand upright as it is placed on a table. Moreover, such a containment cradle 31 is of such a size to contain one or more inserts of those in figure 1 or 2, for example, attaching themselves to the insert of figure 5 in the same above-described manners. In particular, as it is inferred from figure 5, such an insert comprises itself the pivots 21 that allow to fix the insert to the wall 30 by means of the strips 25. Then it is possible to insert other inserts in succession between them, attaching one another always by means of further above-mentioned strips.

As concerns containers proved to be of high quality, they have been obtained with leather work bags, travel bags and shopping bags and other inserts upholstered by fabrics that can be matched well to ranges of colors of leather .

The strip 25 can be made of leather or faux leather, thus recalling the theme of the suitcase and of the insert itself .

In a variation of the invention, rapid attachment means in the form of pivots and snap-on buttons can be replaced by a Velcro system on the ends of the strips 25 and on specific points of the insert and of the container.

Nevertheless, the described solution with snap-on buttons has the advantage of realizing a more stable and long lasting attachment, with aesthetic appeal.

Moreover, the positioning of the pivots and of the snap-on button can obviously be inverted, that is the strip may be provided with pivots which insert themselves in receiving holes applied to panels and/or to the container .

It is possible to integrate a tracking device with Bluetooth connection in all the above-described inserts, for example like those on the following website: http: //nutspace . com/products/nutminidenominato TAG

Such a device connects itself to the cellphone by means of a Bluetooth connection, thus, if the cellphone is distanced from it, the signal is reduced and an alarm warning is generated below a certain threshold. Therefore, if the cellphone is progressively distanced from such a device, it will generate an alarm warning beyond a threshold distance. This function is useful for example to avoid forgetting the cellphone or other objects that can interact with a Bluetooth connection.

Only as an example of use, when the insert with the aforementioned integrated insert is placed in the bag and also the cellphone is placed in . the bag, no alarm is generated .

If the cellphone is placed outside the bag but at a certain distance which is not below the threshold value generating the alarm, then no alarm is generated. However, for example, if the user takes the bag and goes away, then the distance between the device and the cellphone grows until the threshold valued is reached such that the alarm is generated. In this way, the user notices easily that he has forgotten the cellphone.

Nevertheless, such a tracking device is very well known in itself, as well as their uses, and for this reason it is not described here in details further.

Obviously, a container including one or more of such dividing panels may be sold and produced as described, but a container suitable for holding such panels might be produced, and then separately, one or more set of panels and strips that can work as replacements and with different designs for modifying the container internally in its aesthetic appearance.

Claims

The combination between a container, for example in the form of a work bag, and one or more dividing panels (1, 2), said combination comprising:

Said container;

One or more panels (1,

2) configured to result to be insertable in the container so that when they are inserted in the container they delimit the formation of one or more compartments;

Attachment means (20, 21, 25) configured in such a way as to allow to fix in a removable manner at least a first panel in the container and eventual further one or more panels in succession between them;

Characterized in that said attachment means comprise at least a strip (25) of flexible material, said strip (25) having first rapid attachment means (20) suitable for coupling in a removable manner with second rapid attachment means (21) arranged in correspondence of each panel and in the container in such a manner that a first panel can be inserted in the container by fixing it to the container by means of said strip which is fixed to the panel itself by one of its parts and it is fixed to the container by the opposite part and with further one or more panels insertable in the container in succession between them, by binding a further panel to a previous panel by means at least a further strip.

The combination, as per claim 1, wherein said panels comprise binding means (10) configured to allow to contain one or more objects in general.

3. The combination, as per claim 2, wherein said binding means are configured to shape in the panel one or more containing pockets for objects in general.

The combination, as per claim 1, wherein said second rapid attachment means (21) comprise at least one pivot (21) applied to the panel and to the container and said first rapid attachment means (20) comprise a button (20) applied to the two ends of the strip (25) and suitable for coupling in a snap-like manner and in a removable manner with said pivots.

The combination, as per claim 1, wherein said first and second rapid attachment means are in the form of a part of Velcro, applied to the two ends of the strip and in specific points of each panel and of the container .

The combination, as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each panel comprises at least a pivot (21), or a part of Velcro, in correspondence of its front side and at least one further pivot (21), or a part of Velcro, in correspondence of its back side in such a manner that through the strip (25) a panel results to be attachable to the container and, with a further strip, to a subsequent panel.-

The combination, as per claim 6, wherein the two pivots or the two parts of Velcro are in axis between them.

The combination, as per claim 6 or 7, wherein four pivots or four parts of Velcro are comprised at the four angles of the insert present on both sides and in axis between them.

The combination, as per one or more

claims, wherein said panel (1,

tracking device.

The combination, as per one or more

claims, wherein the panel is made

material .

11. The combination, as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second rapid attachment means are arranged on both sides of each panel.

12. A set of panels suitable for inserting themselves in a container in order to delimit one or more inner compartments of the container, said panels comprising second rapid attachment means (21) and wherein the set includes further one or more strips (25) of flexible material having first rapid attachment means (20) suitable for coupling themselves in a removable manner with said second rapid attachment means of the panels, in such a manner that, in use, a first panel can be inserted in the container by fixing it to the container by means of said strip which is fixed to the panel itself by one of its parts and it is fixed to the container by the opposite part and with further one or more panels insertable in the container in succession between them, by binding a further panel to a previous panel by means at least a further strip.